For many years, coin flips have been allowable in PKC Events under very rare situations. Unfortunately, up to this point, it has never been clarified in the Blue Book when it is permitted and when it is not. As always, we want to stay as close to this ideal as possible: "Identify and reward the dog that hunts, strikes, trails, and trees a live raccoon and stays until its handler arrives".

Below is the clarification that was recently approved by the PKC National Directors.

The following language has been added on Blue Book Page #58 as item G. under rule #18. DETERMINING WINNERS.

18. DETERMINING WINNERS

G. Flipping Coin To Determine Cast Winner – There will be rare instances when a cast winner may be determined by a coin flip. When a coin flip is used, it must be written on the scorecard and on the hunt report. Handlers traveling to a hunt during severe cold, heat, wind, ice, snow or other bad weather would be expected to hunt, and a coin flip would not be approved. It is never permissible to use a coin flip to determine the winner of a single cast Open Event (3 or 4 dog hunt) unless the cast has already been in the woods hunting and severe weather breaks out, or there is an unbreakable tie at the end. A cast winner determined by a coin flip under unapproved circumstances may not be credited with PKC Earnings and could result in disciplinary charges for cast members. If you are unsure if a coin flip is allowable, please contact a PKC Staff Member first. A cast winner may be determined by a coin flip, only in the following situations:

1. At the end of a cast, if the cast winner cannot be determined due to an unbreakable tie and tied handlers unanimously agree to flip a coin instead of hunting in sudden death overtime. In this case the cast winner’s score would remain as it was when cast ended.

2. When severe weather breaks out, it is impossible to continue the hunt, and all handlers unanimously agree to flip a coin instead of hunting or waiting it out. In this case the cast winner’s score is zero and would be eligible for cast win earnings only, in Open Events with more than sixteen entries.